Apparatus and method for installing functional non-architectural elements

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprises a covering arrangement suitable for covering a water tank which can be mounted onto an external portion of a building, said covering arrangement being made in the shape of an architectural component, and further comprises an angular positioning device such as to keep said tank in a substantially vertical position; an apparatus comprises a covering arrangement suitable for covering a component of an air-conditioning system which can be mounted onto an external portion of a building, said covering arrangement being made in the shape of an architectural component; a method comprises: reproducing a selected part of a building to get an image therefrom on a layer element; applying said layer element onto a supporting surface surrounding a functional non-architectural element.

This invention concerns an apparatus for mounting and coveringfunctional non-architectural elements on buildings, and in particularfor mounting and covering an external water tank of a prior-art solarpanel system to produce domestic hot water. Moreover, the inventionconcerns a method for aesthetically harmonising covering means offunctional non-architectural elements with the buildings in which thelatter are comprised. Solar panels are heat collectors suitable fortransforming the solar electromagnetic energy directly in thermal energyand are mounted on the roofs of buildings or on other external portionsof the latter wherein exposure to the solar radiation is at its maximum.

Each heat collector comprises an exchange circuit that extends as far asa tank containing water to be heated. In the exchange circuit, anexchange fluid (for example glycol) circulates that heats up in the heatcollector due to the heat received from the solar radiation and coolsaround the walls of the tank, thus transferring heat to the watercontained therein. Heat collectors also exist in the prior art whereinthe water to be heated rather than the exchange fluid circulatesdirectly.

To reduce the length of the connecting pipes placed between the heatcollectors and the relative tanks, the latter are arranged on the roofsof the buildings as close as possible to the collectors, in a positionthat is immediately overhead in relation to the latter.

As a result, the tanks are installed in a position close to the ridge ofthe roof and are therefore rather visible, which is aestheticallyunacceptable.

For this reason, the use of the solar panels of the type described aboveis still rare, despite the considerable advantages of such panels bothin terms of protection of the CONFIRMATION COPY environment throughtheir exploitation of solar energy and the considerable operationaleconomy.

FR 2568990 and NL 1004031 disclose structures covering water tankscomprised in solar energy systems for producing domestic hot water.These structures are made in the shape of architectural elements, namelya prism-shaped canopy (FR 2568990) and an enlarged and modified ridgetile (NL 1004031). Both structures are only intended, and consequentlyshaped, for covering a water tank horizontally arranged onto a roof.Such functional elements, for example the external units ofair-conditioning systems, are made aesthetically pleasing so that canincreasingly be used in outer zones of residential buildings.

An object of this invention is to improve the apparatuses for mountingand covering functional elements that can be placed outside buildings.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for covering a water tank of asystem producing domestic hot water by means of solar panels so as tohide the tank from view and simultaneously firmly anchor the tank to theroof of the relative building.

Another further object is to provide an apparatus for mounting on roofsfunctional non-architectural elements, for example external units ofair-conditioning systems, which enables the latter to be harmonised withthe buildings.

A yet further object is to provide a substantially inexpensive andsimple method for harmonising covering structures of functionalnon-architectural elements mounted on roofs of buildings with thearchitectural style of the buildings themselves.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is providedapparatus, comprising covering means suitable for covering a water tankwhich can be mounted onto a external portion of a building, saidcovering means being made in the shape of an architectural component,characterized in that said apparatus further comprises angularpositioning means so configured as to keep said tank in a substantiallyvertical position.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to position thewater tank in a substantially vertical position regardless of the slopeof the portion of building onto which the tank has to be mounted. Thisis particularly useful when the water tank is comprised in a solar panelsystem for producing domestic hot water, since a vertical position ofthe tank ensures a more effective heat exchange, thus improving theefficiency of the solar panel system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is providedapparatus, comprising covering means suitable for covering a componentof an air-conditioning system which can be mounted onto an externalportion of a building, said covering means being made in the shape of anarchitectural component.

Owing to this aspect of the invention a functional element such as anexternal unit of an air-conditioning system can be installed outside abuilding in a way that is substantially harmonious with the aestheticfeatures of the latter.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod, comprising:

reproducing a selected part of a building to get an image therefrom onlayer means;

applying said onto support surface means surrounding a functionalnon-architectural element.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it becomes possible to provide acovering structure, for example of a water tank or an external unit ofan air-conditioning system, with the same architectural features of thebuilding onto which the covering structure is mounted.

The invention may be better understood and carried into effect byreferring to the enclosed drawings that show non-limiting embodiments,by way of examples, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an incomplete and fragmentary perspective view of an externalarrangement of tanks of a solar-energy system for producing domestic hotwater according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is an incomplete, fragmentary and partially sectioned perspectiveview of an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an incomplete, fragmentary and partially sectioned perspectiveview of an apparatus according to the invention, in a furtherembodiment;

FIG. 4 is an incomplete, fragmentary and partially sectioned perspectiveview of an apparatus according to the invention, in an other furtherembodiment;

FIG. 5 is an incomplete, fragmentary and partially sectioned perspectiveview of an apparatus according to the invention, in an yet further otherembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the apparatus in FIG. 2, illustratinga constructional detail of the latter;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating a further embodiment of theconstructional detail of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view illustrating a further other embodimentof the constructional detail of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a yet further other embodimentof the constructional detail shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the constructional detail shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the constructional detail shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the constructional detail shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the constructional detail shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an incomplete, fragmentary and partially sectionedperspective view illustrating a further other embodiment of theapparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective, fragmentary and incomplete viewillustrating a step of a method according to the invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an other step ofthe method according to the invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective, fragmentary and incomplete viewillustrating a further step of the method according to the invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective, fragmentary and incomplete viewillustrating a yet further step of the method according to theinvention;

In FIGS. 2 to 5, on a tiled 8 roof T of a house A a mounting andcovering apparatus 1 of a tank 2 comprised in a prior-art solar panelsystem R producing domestic hot water to be supplied to the house A. Thetank 2 is arranged to contain the water to be heated and the latter isfed by means of conduits 4 to a pair of prior-art heat collectors 3comprising a pipe with a helical or coiled configuration that is notshown.

The apparatus 1 located on the roof T immediately above the collectors 3may have the shape of a chimney cap C, skylight L or attic skylight M,and is defined by a plurality of walls 6. Each wall 6 consists of one ormore panel elements 7, made for example of fibreglass, A.B.S.,polycarbonate, polystyrene, sheet metal, or another material thatresists atmospheric agents, the visible faces of which are decoratedand/or shaped in such a way as to imitate prior-art building bricks. Inparticular, the panel elements 7 can be made in such a way as toreproduce the ornamental features of the external walls of the house Aor of the roof tiles 8. In an embodiment that is not shown, the walls 6are also made from prior-art building bricks

By suitably making the walls 6 of the apparatus 1 in the shape of achimney cap C the latter can be installed on a sloping part S or a ridgeK of the roof T.

In the apparatus 1 made in the shape of a skylight L and/or in the shapeof an attic skylight M one of the walls 6 comprises a real or simulatedwindow F, made in harmony with the aesthetic features of the house A.

When the apparatus 1 is shaped like a chimney cap C or a skylight L, inthe latter the tank 2 is kept in a vertical position by means of fixingmeans described below. When the apparatus 1 is shaped like an atticskylight M, the tank 2 is spread horizontally and is fixed to the roof Twith prior-art fixing means that is not shown.

In FIG. 6, the tank 2, accommodated inside the apparatus 1 made in theshape of a chimney cap C, is stably positioned by angular positioningmeans comprising an adjustable angular positioning element 9, having aquadrilateral shape and comprising a hollow base portion 10 that is madeintegral with the sloping part S of the roof T by means of prior-artfixing means, that are not shown. On the base portion 10 a movableportion 10′ is hinged by means of a hinge 11, said movable portion 10′having a shape and dimensions such as it can be retractably insertedinside said base portion 10. The movable portion 10′ furthermorecomprises a circular opening 60, arranged horizontally to receive agenerally convex end portion 13 of the tank 2. Inside the movableportion 10′, concave stop elements 12 are inserted that are arranged toreceive the end portion 13.

In use, after fixing an anchoring base face 70 of the base portion 10 tothe sloping part S, the movable portion 10′ is made to rotate on thehinge 11 until it reaches a desired position P, wherein the movableportion 10′ is orthogonal as regards a longitudinal axis X of the tank2. The latter can then be inserted into the movable portion 10′ with theend portion 13 resting on the stop elements 12. In this way, thelongitudinal axis X of the tank 2 can be kept vertical regardless of theangle of inclination of the sloping part S. The adjustable angularpositioning element 9 can also be used for the apparatus 1 made in theshape of a skylight L.

Note that the structure of the above disclosed angular positioning meansenables a tank 2 to be mounted on sloping parts S that have inclinationscomprised within a wide range of values.

In FIG. 7, a further adjustable angular positioning element 14 isprovided that is arranged to stably position the tank 2 accommodated inthe apparatus 1 in the shape of a chimney cap C, on the ridge K of theroof T. The further adjustable angular positioning element 14 comprisesa pair of further movable portions 15, 15′ between which a hollowsupport portion 16 is comprised. The support portion 16 has dimensionsthat enable it to be retractably housed into the further movableportions 15, 15′ and furthermore comprises a circular opening 50,arranged horizontally to receive the end portion 13 of the tank 2.Inside the support portion 16 stop elements 12 are arranged that areshapingly coupled with the end portion 13.

The further movable portions 15, 15′ are hinged on the support portion16 by means of relative hinges 11, the axes of which run parallel in anapproximately middle portion of the support portion 16. In this way, thefurther movable portions 15, 15′ are set in mutually oppositedirections.

In use, after horizontally positioning the support portion 16 of thefurther adjustable angular positioning element 14 straddling the ridgeK, the further movable portions 15, 15′ are made to rotate until afurther base anchoring face 80, 80′ of the latter is brought intocontact with the respective opposite sloping parts S, S′. In this way,the further adjustable angular positioning element 14 can be adapted tothe width of an angle H of the ridge K, so as to enable the supportportion 16 to take up a horizontal position and thus keeping thelongitudinal axis X of the tank 2 in a vertical position.

The further adjustable portions 15, 15′ are then made integral with thesloping parts S, S′ by prior-art fixing means that are not shown and thetank 2 is inserted into the support portion 16, with the end portion 13resting on the stop elements 12.

FIGS. 9 to 13 show a yet further adjustable angular positioning element90, that is arranged to stably position the tank 2 accommodated in theapparatus 1 in the shape of a chimney cap (not shown). The furtheradjustable angular positioning element 90 comprises a substantiallyrectangle-shaped anchoring plate 91 whose further anchoring base face 92can be fixed to the sloping part S, shown by means of a broken line.

A further base portion 93 leads away from an approximately centralportion of the anchoring plate 91, said further base portion 93 having alongitudinal section that is substantially shaped as a circular sector.In two opposite side faces 98 of the further base portion 93 a curvedplate 94 is provided, in which a plurality of holes 97 is obtained. Ayet further movable portion 95 is hinged to the further base portion 93by means of a hinge 11, said yet further movable portion 95 having ashape and dimensions that enable it, when rotating along the hinge 11,to partially cover the further base portion 93. In two opposite furtherside faces 100 of the yet further movable portion 95 further holes 99are obtained, which are level with the holes 97 of the further baseportion 93. The yet further movable portion 95 furthermore comprises asquare opening 96, arranged horizontally to receive an end portion, notshown, of the tank 2. Inside the yet further movable portion 95, concavestop elements 12 are inserted that are arranged to receive the endportion.

In use, after fixing the further anchoring base face 92 of the anchoringplate 91 to the sloping part S by means of prior art fixing means, thatis not shown, the yet further movable portion 95 is made to rotate onthe hinge 11 until it reaches a desired position Q, wherein the yetfurther movable portion 95 is at right angles to the longitudinal axis Xof the tank 2. The position Q, once reached, can be kept by insertingprior art fixing means, that is not shown, through the further holes 99and the corresponding holes 97.

The tank 2 can then be inserted into the yet further movable portion 95with the end portion resting on the stop elements 12. In this way, thelongitudinal axis X of the tank 2 can be kept vertical regardless of theangle of inclination of the sloping part S.

In FIG. 8 a fixed angular positioning element 17 is provided, usable tostably position on the sloping part S the tank 2 accommodated in theapparatus 1 made in the shape of a chimney cap C or a skylight L. Thefixed angular positioning element 17 is made in the shape of aquadrilateral having a triangular longitudinal section and a circularopening 40 arranged horizontally to accommodate the end portion 13. Inuse, a base face 18 of the fixed angular positioning element 17 oppositethe circular opening is made integral with the sloping part S byprior-art fixing means that are not shown. The end portion 13 is theninserted in the circular opening 40 and is rotated in the latter untilthe tank 2 reaches a position wherein the longitudinal axis X of thelatter is arranged vertically.

It is pointed out that the vertical attitude of the tank 2 which isobtainable through the angular positioning elements (9; 14; 17; 90)shown in FIGS. 6-13 enables a more effective heat exchange to beachieved.

As shown in FIG. 14, also a non-architectural functional element otherthan the tank 2, for example an external unit 19 of an air-conditioningsystem Z, can be housed inside the apparatus 1. The external unit 19,made integral with the sloping part S by means of prior-art fixingmeans, that is not shown, is accommodated inside the apparatus 1 madefor example in the shape of a chimney cap C. In the latter, walls 6 thatare opposite one another and are situated near a fan 30 of the externalunit 19 each comprise a grille 20 for enabling air to be taken from theexternal environment. In an alternative embodiment, that is not shown,intended for external units of air-conditioning systems provided withfans having a vertically arranged axis, the apparatus 1 can be made inthe shape of a chimney cap C having an open top end, which may beprovided with a grille. In this way it is for example possible toprovide an air-conditioning system for buildings subject to artisticprotective constraints and which cannot therefore accommodate externalstructures that are aesthetically disturbing.

The apparatus 1 may furthermore be made, in addition to the describedforms of chimney cap C, skylight L and attic skylight M, also in theform of further architectural components, for example verandas orbalconies, that are not shown or disclosed in detail, that are selectedon the basis of the dimensions and contour of the non-architecturalfunctional elements to be installed on the outside of buildings.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a well-known device, for example a camera 201, bymeans of which a picture I, shown by means of a broken line, is obtainedfrom a front portion R of a house A. The picture I can be taken so as toportray, for example, a decorative pattern D comprised in the house A.Once obtained, the picture I can be transferred, by means of prior arttechniques that are not disclosed in detail, onto a supporting film F,for example made from plastics, thus forming a covering layer Y.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a procedure for fitting the covering layer Y onto acovering structure installed on a roof T, said covering structurehousing a water tank (not shown) comprised in a solar panel system R forproducing domestic hot water. The covering structure, for example, isthe above disclosed apparatus 1 made in the shape of the chimney cap C.

The covering layer Y, whose shape and dimensions are selected so as tofully wrap the walls 6 of the chimney cap C, is wound around the latteraccording a rotatory verse shown by the arrow F1, so as to enable twocurved edges 202, 203, obtained in opposite ends of the covering layerY, to mutually come into contact. Once the edges 202, 203 have been madeto reciprocally engage, a prior art top element 204 is applied onto thechimney cap C, thus ensuring the covering layer Y to be firmly blockedthereon. In a further embodiment, not shown, the face of the coveringlayer Y opposite the picture I is provided with an adhesive layer, whichcan be fixed to the walls of a covering structure.

The disclosed method becomes very useful when the house A is an ancientone, which makes significantly difficult and/or expensive manufacturingcovering structures according to the architectural style and/or the agedappearance of the house.

The above disclosures show that the apparatus 1 provided by theinvention in all its possible architectural embodiments is alwaysincludable in a building and is therefore suitable for housing anon-architectural functional element, such as for example a water tankor an external unit of an air-conditioning system, making the latteraesthetically harmonised with the building for which it is intended.This enables the significant aesthetic damage to be avoided that is forexample produced by the water tanks of solar panels systems mounted onthe roofs of buildings provided for by the state of the art illustratedin FIG. 1.

Moreover, according to the method provided by the invention, it becomespossible to harmonise any kind of covering means of non-architecturalelements with the building onto which the elements, and the respectivecovering means, are mounted. This result can be achieved by reproducingonto the covering means, in a substantially inexpensive manner, thearchitectural style occurring in the respective building.

1-34. (canceled)
 35. Apparatus, comprising a covering arrangementsuitable for covering a water tank which can be mounted onto an externalportion of a building, said covering arrangement being made in the shapeof an architectural component, wherein said apparatus further comprisesan angular positioning device so configured as to keep said tank in asubstantially vertical position.
 36. Apparatus according to claim 35,wherein said water container is a component of a solar panel system. 37.Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said angular positioning devicecomprises a seat arranged for housing said tank therein, and ananchoring element for anchoring to said external portion.
 38. Apparatusaccording to claim 37, wherein said seat and said anchoring element areobtained in opposite portions of a positioning shell element. 39.Apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said seat is obtained in afirst positioning shell element.
 40. Apparatus according to claim 39,wherein said anchoring element is obtained in a second positioning shellelement hinged on said first positioning shell element.
 41. Apparatusaccording to claim 40, wherein said seat is shaped in such a way that alongitudinal axis of said tank can be arranged vertically by rotatingsaid first positioning shell element in relation to said secondpositioning shell element.
 42. Apparatus, comprising a coveringarrangement suitable for covering a component of an air-conditioningsystem which can be mounted onto an external portion of a building, saidcovering arrangement being made in the shape of an architecturalcomponent.
 43. Apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising anangular positioning device such as to keep said component in asubstantially vertical position.
 44. Apparatus according to claim 43,wherein said angular positioning device comprises a seat arranged forhousing said component therein, and an anchoring element for anchoringto said external portion of said building.
 45. Apparatus according toclaim 44, wherein said seat and said anchoring element are obtained inopposite portions of a positioning shell element.
 46. Apparatusaccording to claim 45, wherein said seat is obtained in firstpositioning shell element.
 47. Apparatus according to claim 46, whereinsaid anchoring element is obtained in a second positioning shell elementhinged on said first positioning shell element.
 48. Apparatus accordingto claims 47, wherein said seat is shaped in such a way that alongitudinal axis of said tank can be arranged vertically by rotatingsaid first positioning shell element in relation to said secondpositioning shell element.
 49. Apparatus according to claim 35, whereinsaid external portion comprises a roof.
 50. Apparatus according to claim35, wherein said architectural component has a shape selected from agroup comprising: chimney cap, skylight, attic skylight, veranda,balcony, column, arch.
 51. Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein saidcovering arrangement comprises a wall arrangement.
 52. Apparatusaccording to claim 51, wherein said wall arrangement furthermorecomprises a window.
 53. Apparatus according to claim 51, wherein saidwall arrangement furthermore comprises a grille.
 54. Apparatus accordingto claim 51, wherein said wall arrangement is made of building bricks.55. Apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said wall arrangement ismade of panel elements.
 56. Apparatus according to claim 55, whereinsaid panel elements are made of a material that resists atmosphericagents.
 57. Apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said material thatresists atmospheric agents is selected from a group comprising: glassfibre, A.B.S., polycarbonate, polystyrene, sheet metal.
 58. Method,comprising: reproducing a selected part of a building to get an imagetherefrom on a layer element; applying said layer element onto asupporting surface element surrounding a functional non-architecturalelement.
 59. Method according to claim 58, wherein said supportingsurface element is part of a covering arrangement enclosing saidfunctional non-architectural element.
 60. Method according to claim 58,wherein said supporting surface element is comprised in an externalsurface of said functional non-architectural element.
 61. Methodaccording to claim 58, wherein said image is obtained by using aphotographic device.
 62. Method according to claim 58, wherein saidimage is transferred onto a supporting film, so as to form a coveringlayer.
 63. Method according to claim 58, wherein said applying compriseswinding said layer element around a covering arrangement housing saidfunctional non-architectural element.
 64. Method according to claim 63,wherein said applying comprises mutually engaging opposite curved edgesof said layer element.
 65. Method according to claim 58, wherein saidcovering arrangement takes part of an apparatus according to claim 50.66. Method according to claim 58, wherein said functionalnon-architectural element comprises a water tank.
 67. Method accordingto claim 66, wherein said water tank is comprised in a solar panelsystem.
 68. Method according to claim 58, wherein said functionalnon-architectural element comprises a component of an air-conditioningsystem.